Applications for Round 2 of the Support at Home Thin Markets (rural, remote and specialised) 2025-26 Grants (GO7988) are now open.
These grants help ensure that older people living in rural and remote areas, and those from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, can access affordable, high-quality in-home care.
The grants provide flexible funding to eligible Support at Home providers to support service delivery and help set reasonable prices for aged care services operating in thin markets.
Thin markets occur when a gap arises between the needs of older people and services available, often in specific locations or across specialist services.
To be eligible, Support at Home providers must deliver either:
- services in a rural or remote area
- tailored services to older people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, such as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, members the LGBTIQ+ community, or those at risk of homelessness or other financial or social disadvantage.
Eligible providers can apply on GrantConnect. Applications close 2pm (AEDT) on 14 January 2026.
The grants form part of a suite of initiatives to support the financial viability and capability of eligible providers as they transition to Support at Home, including the Rural, Remote and First Nations Aged Care Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP) and Business and Workforce Advisory Service (BWAS).
The grants will also be complemented by the upcoming trial of pooled funding in the Support at Home program, commencing in 2026.